44% of Danes do not know about their local scheme for handing in used batteries. This is shown in a new survey conducted by Megafon on behalf of Elretur. The lack of awareness is a major barrier to the national collection of used batteries. Collection has otherwise increased by 1,000 tonnes over a five-year period, although the quantity of batteries sold has also increased. Despite the positive development, only just over half of used batteries are still handed in for recycling.
Municipalities have flexible and convenient schemes that citizens can use when they need to hand in used batteries for recycling. Everyone can hand them in at the recycling centre. If you live in an apartment building, there is often a dedicated container for used batteries or an environmental box for hazardous waste. If you live in a house, your municipality will typically offer either an environmental box scheme or a bag scheme, where batteries are placed in a closed bag on top of the bin for residual waste.
However, many people are not aware of these options, according to the survey conducted by Megafon in January 2022 on behalf of Elretur. When asked whether their own municipality has an environmental box or bag scheme, 44% answer either “don’t know” or that their municipality has no scheme. In fact, 97 out of 98 municipalities offer either an environmental box scheme or a bag scheme.
“The survey sends a clear message. The fact that 44% are unaware of the schemes in their municipality is clearly a challenge. The good news is that this can be addressed through better information about local municipal schemes. Danes are very willing to take co-responsibility for the environment – also when it comes to recycling batteries,” says Morten Harboe-Jepsen, CEO of Elretur.
Elretur is Denmark’s largest Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and handles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for electrical and electronic equipment as well as batteries. For several years, the organisation has worked with Bodil Jørgensen to spread the message that used batteries must be recycled and not thrown in the bin.
Danes have become much better at handing in their used batteries. In 2016, 1,681 tonnes were collected, while in 2020 the figure had risen to 2,655 tonnes. This is an increase of 58%. During the same period, however, more batteries were also sold. In 2016, 3,939 tonnes were sold, and by 2020 the figure had increased to 5,057 tonnes. Despite the strong increase in the quantity of batteries sold, the collection rate is generally rising.
“We are moving in the right direction, and if we can increase awareness of the good schemes available in the municipalities, we have a major opportunity to increase the collection of used batteries significantly. When one percentage point equals 50 tonnes, we are dealing with large numbers. But it is the many small everyday contributions that count – what you and I do when we change the batteries in a bicycle light or dispose of children’s worn-out toys,” says Morten Harboe-Jepsen, CEO of Elretur.
How you should sort and hand in used batteries depends on where you live and your type of housing. However, you can always take your batteries to the recycling centre. See your municipality’s own guidance to find out which options apply where you live.